The Phoenix Suns’ star player Devin Booker has hailed the importance of the NBA’s return to China, as his team prepared to face the Brooklyn Nets in two pre-season games in Macau.
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The pair of games, to be played at the casino hub’s Venetian Arena on Friday and Sunday, will be the league’s first matches in China since 2019, and the 10-year veteran acknowledged that it was a “big deal” for it to be back.
“It’s super-important – we have a big fan base out here in China, and we have Chinese players in the NBA,” the Suns shooting guard said.
“Being here on their homeland and letting them see us play in person, for the youths and the next generation of Chinese players getting this experience on their land, [can] open up their inspiration, you know, make them feel they have a chance [to play in the NBA].”
The Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker talks to media in Macau on Thursday. Photo: AFP
The Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker talks to media in Macau on Thursday. Photo: AFP
The four-time All-Star, an Olympic champion with Team USA in 2021 and 2024, added that he shared the excitement felt among Chinese fans about the resumption of NBA action in the country.
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